ATI RN
ATI Detailed Answer Key Medical Surgical
1. A client with a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system needs to be transported to the x-ray department. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Clamp the chest tube prior to transferring the client to a wheelchair.
- B. Disconnect the chest tube from the drainage system during transport.
- C. Keep the drainage system below the level of the client's chest at all times.
- D. Empty the collection chamber prior to transport.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When transporting a client with a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system, it is crucial to keep the drainage system below the level of the client's chest at all times. This positioning prevents the backflow of drainage into the client's chest, reducing the risk of complications. Clamping the chest tube, disconnecting it from the drainage system, or emptying the collection chamber are incorrect actions and can potentially harm the client or lead to complications.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of seizures. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. The client is experiencing an aura.
- B. The client's antiseizure medication level is within the therapeutic range.
- C. The client has been seizure-free for 2 years.
- D. The client's seizure activity lasts longer than 5 minutes.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Seizure activity lasting longer than 5 minutes requires immediate intervention as it can lead to status epilepticus, a medical emergency.
3. After auscultating a client's breath sounds, the nurse is providing care. Which finding is correctly matched to the nurse's primary intervention?
- A. Hollow sounds are heard over the trachea. The nurse increases the oxygen flow rate.
- B. Crackles are heard in bases. The nurse encourages the client to cough forcefully.
- C. Wheezes are heard in central areas. The nurse administers an inhaled bronchodilator.
- D. Vesicular sounds are heard over the periphery. The nurse has the client breathe deeply.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Wheezes are indicative of narrowed airways, and bronchodilators help to open the air passages, making option C the correct match. Wheezes are typically heard in the central or peripheral lung areas and are associated with conditions like asthma or COPD. Inhaled bronchodilators work by dilating the bronchioles, which helps alleviate wheezing and improve airflow. Therefore, administering an inhaled bronchodilator is the appropriate intervention in response to wheezes.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being taught by a nurse about ways to facilitate eating. Which of the following statements indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I will rest for at least 30 minutes before eating.
- B. I will take my bronchodilators after meals.
- C. I will eat five or six small meals each day.
- D. I will choose foods that are not gas-forming.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Option B, 'I will take my bronchodilators after meals,' indicates a need for further teaching. Bronchodilators should be taken before meals to help open the airways and make breathing easier before eating. This statement suggests a misunderstanding of the timing for optimal bronchodilator effectiveness. Options A, C, and D are all appropriate strategies for facilitating eating for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
5. A client is 4 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The client's blood pressure has dropped from 120/80 mm Hg to 90/60 mm Hg. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Administer an IV fluid bolus.
- B. Check the surgical site for bleeding.
- C. Place the client in a Trendelenburg position.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Checking the surgical site for bleeding is crucial in this situation as it helps determine if the drop in blood pressure is due to hemorrhage, a potential postoperative complication. Identifying and addressing bleeding promptly is essential to prevent further complications and stabilize the client's condition.
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